06 Feb Former Paper Boy becomes Executive Chairman at Quest Media

Media
and Sports entrepreneur Chris Bird delivered the Reporter Newspaper in Hyde at
the age of 11. He started his media career at the same newspaper group aged 19
and on February 1st, the day before his 56th birthday, Chris became
the Executive Chairman of Quest Media, the owner of The Reporter Newspaper and
Tameside Radio.

Chris
Bird spent 4 years selling advertising at the Reporter between 1982 and 1986.
He was also responsible for the launch of the newspaper groups’ first ever free
newspaper the Tameside Leader and he even sold advertising to local businesses
to wish him a happy 21st birthday. All the proceeds went to charity.

In 1986 Chris was headhunted by Piccadilly Radio where he spent 4 very successful years developing the radio stations commercial activities, launching Key 103 and building his knowledge of radio programming and events. In 1990 Chris decided to go it alone and launched what is now one of Manchester’s most established and respected public relations businesses, The Bird Consultancy.

Commenting on becoming Executive Chairman at Quest, Chris Bird said:

“This is not only an honour; it is also a great opportunity for me to give something back to Tameside. The newspaper and radio station are fantastic platforms for community engagement, advertisers, and offer great local news and entertainment. My team and I have exciting plans to build both the newspaper and radio station into a media group with its heart in the community and its mind firmly focused on future proofing the business for generations to come.”

Joining Chris will be 2 nationally acclaimed and former Key 103 executives John Dash and Andy Peacock who will work with the existing team at Tameside Radio to develop the station’s output.

Chris adds:

“I would like to thank New Charter Housing and especially Martin Frost, Ian Munro, Joan Ryan and Danny Mcloughlin for their dedication and support in bringing Quest media to this point after many years of hard work and investment. The borough of Tameside should never forget the importance of these wonderful people.”